Firearms Remain Leading Cause of Death for U.S. Youth as Gun Deaths Surge 50% Since 2019

New data reveals stark racial disparities and highlights the potential impact of safe storage laws in reducing firearm-related deaths among children and teenagers.

• Firearm-related deaths among U.S. children and teenagers increased by 50% from 2019 to 2023, with 2,581 deaths recorded last year.
• Firearms have been the leading cause of death for American youth since 2020, surpassing motor vehicle accidents.
• Black children and teens faced firearm homicide rates more than eight times higher than their white peers in 2023, while American Indian and Alaska Native youth experienced the highest firearm suicide rates.
• Twenty-six states currently have child access prevention and secure storage laws, with ongoing legislative efforts to expand these measures in 2025.
• Research suggests safe storage laws could reduce firearm suicides, homicides, and unintentional shootings, though the societal toll of youth gun deaths continues to deeply affect families and communities.

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